Emotional Driscoll revels in World Championship bronze

Kat Driscoll was not even sure if she was going to continue trampolining after Rio 2016.

But after taking the plunge to carry on, entering the World Championships and standing on the podium with a bronze medal around her neck, it’s safe to say the decision was very much worth it.

Joining forces with Laura Gallagher and Izzy Songhurst, the double Olympian and her team put in impressive performances in Sofia, combining for a score of 163.810 points and third place in the standings.

So for Driscoll, embarking on her ninth World Championships on the trampoline, there was an undoubted sense of relief in not calling time too early.

“It’s very emotional, at one point I wasn’t even sure I’d continue my career after Rio and now I’m here at another World Championships,” she said.

“I’m so proud to have won this medal with these girls. Having only three in the team adds pressure and every one of us has stood up to that and performed.

“Izzy has been incredible and in her first senior Worlds and Laura has shown again how good she is.

“The medal is testament to the GB trampoline programme and all the hard work that goes on back at Lilleshall with the support of our coaches, British Gymnastics and our EIS support staff.”

While Driscoll’s experience shone through, the bronze medal was reward for all three being on top of their game in Sofia.

That began with Gallagher, posting a superb first routine to score 55.365 points and get the team off to an excellent start from which they never looked back.

Only Belarus and China were to finish above the Great Britain team, with Songhurst doing her utmost to prove her worth in her maiden competition at this level.

She was to do exactly that too, putting 53.715 points on the scoreboard in a performance that made her look a natural in this arena.

And Driscoll ensured her teammates’ efforts were to be rewarded with an extra prize in their luggage, maintaining the consistency with 54.750 – with their eventual total enough to hold off the challenge.